Carolina Hurricanes: 5 possible destinations for Micheal Ferland
There is no smoke without fire, as the old saying goes. With continued rumors that the Carolina Hurricanes will trade Micheal Ferland, we look at five teams who need to make a run at acquiring the feisty winger.
When the Carolina Hurricanes acquired Micheal Ferland as part of the Dougie Hamilton trade, fans assumed that we were getting a PIMS-happy middle six winger who would chip in occasionally with a few goals. Since joining the team, Ferland has happily dispelled that myth, and has proven to be a valuable contributor on the team’s top line alongside Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen.
Those unexpected performances have also given Ferland an indication of his value on the open market. A UFA in the summer, Ferland will then be a 27 year-old hockey player who hits, fights, and battles hard for every puck. This is his chance for a big payday, and no-one can blame him for asking for a sizeable increase on his current $1.75m AAV deal. Earlier in the season we suggested that an extension of $4.5m would suffice to secure Ferland’s services – but then he kept scoring, downed Austin Watson, and has proven to be a catalyst for the team on several occasions.
With the supposed asking price anywhere between $5m and $7m annually, it’s only right that Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell look at the trade market to ascertain what he could recoup if he were to deal Ferland. A trade became even more likely when the Canes acquired Nino Niederreiter from the Minnesota Wild, as he too plays a physical style but is already signed long-term.
So assuming that Ferland will be traded, who needs his services the most? Here are five teams who could all use an infusion of goals, hits and truculence.
Providing some steel
The Pittsburgh Penguins are always in the market for trade deadline improvements. Recent seasons have seen them acquire Derick Brassard, Ron Hainsey, Justin Schultz, Daniel Winnik, Lee Stempniak, Jarome Iginla and Brenden Morrow ahead of the deadline, and this year they will be no different in their approach as they seek to add a fourth Stanley Cup to Sidney Crosby‘s mantelpiece.
With Jake Guentzel holding their first line LW spot, Ferland would surely slide right onto the Penguins’ second line alongside Evgeni Malkin. The pairing would give Malkin some physical protection, Ferland with an elite playmaker to feed from, and a hard forecheck that would be difficult to resist. A Ferland to Pittsburgh scenario is one that massively benefits the Penguins.
Potential package: 2019 PIT 1st round pick + Derick Brassard
The Penguins lack the prospects to throw at the Canes, so the combination of their upcoming first round pick plus the impending UFA Brassard would be a good return. The Carolina Hurricanes could then either keep Brassard as their 2C and give him an extended run with a view to an extension, or simply flip him for more assets as a rental.
A Capital idea
No defending Stanley Cup Champion wants to exit at the first hurdle, and adding Micheal Ferland for their latest Cup push would make them even more difficult to beat. As with the Penguins, the Capitals are weakest down their left side, and Ferland could again slot in on the second line alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov to make the Capitals near-unbeatable. Just imagine: Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson on one line, and Ferland on another. Then you have the skill of Nicklas Backstrom and TJ Oshie to worry about.
There isn’t much to go on with regards to the Capital’s intentions as we approach the trade deadline. Rumors persist about the future of Andre Burakovsky, but if the Capitals do intend to ask for the earth in return, they won’t find many takers. It would make sense for them to trade him, but probably not to a rival like the Carolina Hurricanes.
Potential package: 2019 WSH 1st round pick + Axel Jonsson-Fjallby
Why on earth would the Carolina Hurricanes strengthen the reigning Stanley Cup Champions? Because they have a nice stockpile of assets that would benefit the Canes. Again, the first round pick would help the Canes – but rather than add a roster asset, the Canes should look to acquire Axel Jonsson-Fjallby in any deal. He is a potential top six forward who will need some seasoning – but in the NHL, as he has already absconded back to Sweden having not found life in the AHL to his taste. He would be an exciting project and could, in time, be a valuable contributor.
Flying out to Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Jets are another team who like to make a splash at the trade deadline. Last year they acquired Paul Stastny for the princely sum of a first round pick, prospect and a fourth round pick. With the team a contender again this year, they will surely look to get over the hump, having been upset by the Western Conference sensations from Vegas in last year’s Western Conference Finals.
Ferland would, yet again, slot into a top six role on the Jets. They have a big team – the likes of Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien are huge presences – but Ferland offers them something no-one else on the roster does. He may also be able to spark some life into Bryan Little, who continues to disappoint Jets fans on the back of his $5.3m AAV extension that kicked in this season.
Potential package: 2019 WPG 2nd round pick + Jack Roslovic
Jack Roslovic is a former first round pick and is stuck in a bottom six role on the Jets; his acquisition would allow the Canes to play Jordan Staal as a middle six center, taking the defensive zone starts and allowing Roslovic the opportunity to make an impact at the other end. He can also play wing, which is always a handy trait. Due to his potential, the Jets would only send a second round pick along with Roslovic.
The Sharks are circling
When they acquired Erik Karlsson in the summer of 2018, the San Jose Sharks announced to everyone that they were all-in on this season. With Joe Thornton‘s production declining, and the core of Brent Burns, Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture all on the verge of leaving their prime years, the Sharks will never have a better time to win the Stanley Cup. They simply have to consider a deal for Ferland.
Where Ferland would slot in is anyone’s guess. Evander Kane has been a revelation this season, and several others can play on the left side. Either a second or third line slot would be on offer for Ferland, and he could do significant damage from there.
Potential package: 2019 FLA 2nd round pick + Jayden Halbgewachs
Due to that Karlsson trade, the Sharks have limited assets. Their only pick in the first three rounds of the 2019 draft is that Florida second – but we would need at least a second in any deal. To make amends, Don Waddell should take a long, hard look at former junior standout Jayden Halbgewachs – he has had a solid year in the AHL, and would form part of our exciting core of future Canes scorers alongside Martin Necas and Janne Kuokkanen. Noah Gregor could be another option, but Halbgewachs is closer to being NHL-ready.
Flame away
The chances of Micheal Ferland being traded back to Calgary are fairly minimal, I know. However, the Flames would still benefit from re-acquiring the man they traded last summer. His last season with the team saw him set career highs in goals (21), assists (20), points (41), shots (144) and TOI (15:06). He is on pace the top all of those career-bests with the Carolina Hurricanes this season.
Ferland’s role on the Flames’ top line was usurped by none other than Elias Lindholm, but a left side of Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk and Micheal Ferland would be a skillful, nasty, and just downright really nasty combination. There would also be no worries about the rental struggling to adapt to new surroundings or tactics – Ferland slots straight in, and simply heads straight into battle.
Potential package: Sam Bennett + 2019 CGY 3rd round pick
The Canes don’t need to acquire a top six forward by trading away a defenseman. They can acquire one from the Calgary Flames by sending Ferland back out west, and acquiring former 18-year-old Sam Bennett. He continues to underwhelm for the Flames, with just 19 points in 49 games, and is in the same boat as Nino Niederreiter – he needs a fresh start. The Carolina Hurricanes would be an excellent team with whom to kickstart his career.
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There are many more teams who could have an interest in acquiring Micheal Ferland – the likes of the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks were mentioned when the original rumor came to light. As it looks more and more likely that the Carolina Hurricanes will indeed deal the former Calgary Flame, which of these teams’ potential trade packages would excite you most?